AMMANFORD, who had not played a game since December 10, knew they would have to pull out all the stops against runaway league leaders Monmouth.

Town have lost just one match this season.

With Ben Soal and Steffan Hughes both suspended, and Liam Killa returning to the Faro Islands, it was always going to be a tough encounter for Ammanford.

Monmouth fielded a lineup that boasted Daniel Bowen with 31 league goals already this campaign and Elliot Ford with 18 goals alongside Mathew Bowe on 11. Ammanford keeper Jamie Rano had to pull off two great saves in the opening quarter while Owen James put the visitors under pressure with a great run and shot.

At half an hour a Mathew Jones’ free kick was scrambled clear before minutes later Mathew Fisher beat the defence.

Fisher drew the keeper before putting the ball in the net for a deserved lead.

Just a few minutes later he found himself in a similar position but the keeper somehow managed to get a touch and clear.

With the interval approaching, Ammanford, who had been playing some of their best football of the season, lost concentration at the back to concede and then went behind just five minutes into the second half.

Although the hosts were more than a match for the visitors, they went 3-1 down and soon after found themselves cut adrift at 4-1 behind thanks to Monmouth’s clinical finishing.

Ammanford felt justifiably hard done by when they saw a strong penalty shout turned down.

Although keeper Rano was named Ammanford’s man of the match, the hosts showed their potential with, what was at times, their best performance of the season.

Ammanford will have it all to do next Saturday when they are away to Penrhiwceiber Rangers.